The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday came down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh Police over alleged irregularities during criminal probes, questioning the force’s conduct and warning that it could result in loss of trust within the public if such practices continued.

A two-judge bench of the top court, comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva made the strong observations while hearing a case arising from a public interest litigation (PIL). As per reports, the judges warned the state’s police that the situation could reach a point where criminal investigations across Uttar Pradesh might have to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The bench remarked, “In everything you have an agenda. How will people trust you if this is how you proceed with matters?” It added that it could consider asking the CBI to take over investigations in the state, adding that it might even be necessary to ‘disband the UP police’ if such conduct continued.

Accused allegedly not named in FIR

The court made the observations during the hearing of a PIL filed by a complainant in connection with an incident involving a bike. As per the petition, the complainant alleged that she had physically apprehended the bike rider involved in the incident and handed him over to the police.

However, despite the alleged apprehension, the police initially registered an FIR against unknown persons. Owing to misconduct by the cops, the court questioned them in the manner in which the probe had been carried out.

The complainant added to the allegations, saying that the cops inserted the rider’s name into the chargesheet after the High Court (HC) intervened in the matter, only to give him a clean chit later.

“Such conduct could undermine confidence of public”: SC

Thereafter, the bench questioned why the name of a person allegedly apprehended at the scene was not included in the original FIR. The judges said, “You catch the accused at the spot but you don’t want to name him in the FIR.”

It then questioned whether names could potentially be added or substituted in FIRs based on considerations unrelated to the probe, raising concerns over the credibility and transparency of the process. The bench added whether this was how the police operated in the state and said such conduct could undermine the confidence of the commoners in law enforcement.

Cop summoned to shed light on probe

The SC also expressed dissatisfaction with an affidavit submitted by the UP Police, calling it ‘uninspiring.’ It directed the officer investigating the case to remain present at the next hearing and explain why the bike rider’s name had been missing from the original FIR and why it was subsequently disclosed in the affidavit.